The “SUMMER PLAN” study will consist of reading God’s WORD and then discussing our observations and possible application(s) of it to each of our lives. I am suggesting the scriptures to use and will include a link that will bring up the scripture passage each week. Through the study we will have the opportunity to study and read 2 complete books of the Bible, Ephesians & Philippians! At the end of this guide, I’ve include introductions and overall themes for each book to help guide your study.

Study Questions:

Ask these same questions about the passage every week. Feel free to add your own or supplement as the conversation develops.

What observations can we make about the passage we just read? Who is speaking, who is being spoke to, what is going on around them. The answers to this question will be the same throughout the entire 10-week study. However, it will be important to direct everyone back to this setting every week. For more info, see the introductions to Ephesians and Philippians at the end of this guide.

Is there any one verse that stands out to you? Follow up this question with “why” or “explain,” etc.

What are some truths we need to receive or lessons we can learn from this passage?

What do you need to do to apply these truths or lessons to your life THIS WEEK?

Final Thoughts:

The point of studying God’s WORD is not to learn more...it’s to APPLY more. His WORDS are generally not hard to understand, they are just hard to apply.

Challenge your group to begin applying the basic truths of God’s WORD. As their application grows, His revelation of himself in their life will grow exponentially!

PRAY with your group! Make sure to pray specifically for the application steps you’ve discussed in your study.

Ephesians

Purpose:

To strengthen the believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church, the body of Christ.

Author:

Paul

To Whom Written:

The church at Ephesus, and all believers everywhere.

Date Written:

Approximately A.D. 60, from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment there.

Setting:

The letter was not written to confront any heresy or problem in the churches. It was sent with Tychicus to strengthen and encourage the churches in the area. Paul had spent over three years with the Ephesian church. As a result, he was very close to them. Paul met with the elders of the Ephesian church at Miletus (Acts 20:17-38)—a meeting that was filled with great sadness because he was leaving them for what he thought would be the last time. Because there are no specific references to people or problems in the Ephesian church and because the words “in Ephesus” (1:1) are not present in some early manuscripts, Paul may have intended this to be a circular letter to be read to all churches in the area.

Special Features:

Several pictures of the church are presented: body, temple, mystery, new man, bride and soldier. This letter was probably distributed to many of the early churches.

Philippians

To thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent Paul and to strengthen these believers by showing them that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone.

Author:

Paul

To Whom Written:

All the Christians at Philippi, and the believers everywhere.

Date Written:

Approximately A.D. 61, from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment there.

Setting:

Paul and his companions began the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:11-40). This was the first church established on the European continent. The Philippian church had sent a gift with Epaphroditus (one of their members) to be delivered to Paul (4:18). Paul was in a roman prison at the time. He wrote this letter to thank them for their gift and to encourage them in their faith.